When I was planning the Funeral for my mother's biological father, Lionel Kubiak, I stumbled across this poem and used it for my grandfathers funeral pamphlets. My mother was in the hospital at the time and loved the poem so much, she asked me to if I would use it for her when the time came.

My brother Zac, and sister Melissa were with me at the crematory when my mom was cremated and this is the poem that I read during the cremation.

When I come to the end of my journey

And I travel my last weary mile

Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned

And remember only the smile

Forget unkind words I have spoken

Remember some good I have done

Forget that I ever had heartache

And remember I've had loads of fun

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered

And sometimes fell by the way

Remember I have fought some hard battles

And won, ere the close of the day

Then forget to grieve for my going

I would not have you sad for a day

But in summer just gather some flowers

And remember the place where I lay

And come in the shade of evening

When the sun paints the sky in the west

Stand for a few moments beside me

And remember only my best

My love to Rich, all the kids and grandkids. Please don’t take my absence as uncaring. In fact, I care so much, I fall apart in tears and feel like I would not be a great comfort to any of you. Some of my most favorite times over the past 15+ years have been memories made in Leeann’s presence. I’m reminded of everything from holidays, birthdays and weddings together to fishing, playing dice and simply hanging out by the pool or campfire nearly every weekend.  Everything from attending the Irish Festival, walking in Relay For Life together, going for a drive while thrifting and ending up places no person should be was always the most fun!  Then there was that one time Leeann overheard someone speaking poorly of me, annnnnnd cut!  Hearing your kids call me aunt Julie always made me smile too.  I loved Leeann dearly and I’m glad we had a couple of quiet moments together at the recent family picnic to discuss the good times. She was a trooper and it seemed as though everything was going to be ok. I will miss her dearly forever.  So when we see each other again, please know and don’t bring this up or I’ll cry!!! ❤️

My mother Leeann Yager the toughest pollock, the woman who gave up all her dreams and aspirations in life to be the best mother and wife she knew how to be, passed away peacefully after her two year battle with colon cancer. Those of you who knew my mother knew that she was never afraid to tell it like it is, or speak up and take action when she didn't like what she was seeing and how it affected the people she loved and cared about. I have seen her "stand up" to people, for myself and my family, who tower over her in every way imaginable - height, stature, hierarchy, social standing... and watch their intimidated responses in awe. I have always promised myself that I would carry those same values. That I would always stand up when others refused to do so, or lacked the confidence/bravery. That I would never sit back quietly and let the people I love fight a battle alone. Because my mother taught me better.

Just like most daughters, especially in my youth, I didn't ALWAYS appreciate my mom, or understand just how hard it was to raise children (let alone 5 children) to have good morals and values, and be to be independent self sufficient leaders. I didn't understand that it wasn't "common" for parents to skip a meal so that your kids could have second helpings. I wasn't ALWAYS grateful of the time sacrificed when my mom worked two jobs, 50-60 hours a week and my dad worked 50-60 hours a week to make sure that thier five kids always had a Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas presents, and just how fortunate we were to be able to go fishing and camping and have family outings together. It wasn't until I had kids of my own, and became a mother, that I finally understood exactly what sacrifices my mother and father made for us. That I truly reflected on how truly blessed I was to get "tough love" and how it would benefit me as an adult. To ALWAYS have a cheerleader in my corner, who loved me wholeheartedly and unconditionally. That I was so fotunate to have someone who dedicated her youth, and health, to making sure that me and my siblings knew that we were loved and that she was proud of us and supported us in all of our endeavors.

At times, my mother could be a stubborn pain in the ass pollock, but she was MY mother, and I am so fortunate for that and for every single life lesson her and my father taught me. Like my mother, I will always try to find a way to find a silver lining in every obstacle life throws at me. I will always stand up for what is right and fight for the people that I love. I will never let my past or present circumstances in life define my desired outcomes. I will always love with my whole heart and soul. I will never see an obstacle as an impassable wall. I will always do everything I can to make my mother and father proud of the hard work and sacrifices they made, to raise me.

Words will never be able to describe the sadness I have that I was not able to find a way to solve this "problem" for her, as I helped her do for so many of her other obstacles later in life. I couldn't find a solution to cure her, or make her physically better, but I dedicated as much time and energy as a I could (setting aside my own fears and feelings) to helping her find the silver lining, and to not spend to much energy on the things that would not change. "Crying over spilled milk doesnt put it back in the container".

Please pray for my father Rich Yager. He is an amazing man and father who just lost the love of his life and mother to his 5 children, grandmother to his 17 grandchildren. I am SO proud to be his daughter. Please pray for my siblings Zac Yager Kenneth Yager Melissa Yager Liz Aduddell that they can find peace in my mother's passing, and that they know just how proud of them she was. That she was consistently bragging about each and everyone of them to every single nurse or doctor who came into her room, or into her home. We were fortunate that we have never experienced a loss of this magnitude before to our family, and now we are fortunate of the strong bonds we have with each other, thanks to our parents, to grieve together and heal together.

Thank you to everyone who has taken time and energy to be there for us during this very difficult time. Thank you Dawn Marie for being my moms best friend, the sister that my mom needed. For always being by her side, through thick and thin, and for now being there for my dad and us, for dropping everything and immediately driving from Illinois to be with us. Thank you Karen Yagersmith for always dedicating your time and energy to make sure that we are loved and taken care of. You dropped everything and jumped on a flight from California to show your love and support during this time. My dad is lucky to have a sister like you and WE are so fortunate that you are are his sister and our aunt. And thank you to our spouses/significant others Scott Clark Riakay Yager Joey Aduddell Yukari Yager for being our rocks and for your patience, love and support through this whole thing. For understanding the bond we have as siblings and giving us the time and opportunity to come together to greive in solidarity.